ANAMUA/Past:

“I am Che’den Sofi Vincent Ah Yek Strickson-Pua Samoan Chinese English. Son of Feleti Strickson-Pua and Melinda Ah Yek. On Dad’s side our Nu’u is Peterborough and Southampton England, Canton China, Malaela Upolu and PapaSataua Savaii Samoa.”
“I was born in Tamaki Makaurau Aotearoa. Living between Grey Lynn and Waiheke island. Older brother of Dremayer Liberty Choir Ah Yek Strickson-Pua. Cousin to Jane Filemu Isla Mele Strickson-Pua Ngati Raukawa English Samoan Niuean.
I recite my Igoa [Ingoa] which connects me to Gafa [Whakapapa]. Papa says in a changing world my name will give me foundation and I will understand this in the future. I love my Papa so I recite because this makes him happy. Jane and Dremayer talk about being Tulafale [Pukoreo] learning to speak for our families our people but before we can speak we
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must serve Atua, Elders, Families and Community. This is Tautua to serve. A Samoan Alagaupu [Whakatauaki] says true Leadership is attained through a life of service. Papa reminds us Mokopunas’ that we come from a long line of Tulafales’ who have served our people and Atua has blessed us. Papa worries we will become the lost tribe and lost soul generation never knowing who we are and where we belong. The old ways answer the life questions of purpose and existence. Meaning of life is looking after creation serving the Creator Atua.

NEI/Present:

My Parents worry that the old ways will hinder my life in the modern world. They have talked with Papa pleading with him not to confuse us Mokopunas’. He responds by challenging them, “Where is your faith? Tepuga [Tepunas] watch over us with sadness.” Yet life is like a collection of circles forever over lapping connecting our enriched past to this painful struggling present leading onto an open ended collective communal shared future. No pain no gain screams the over crowded bill boards where metaphors are lived out tragic realities for first nations indigenous peoples. Yet I have a strong sense of identity, purpose and hope.

LUAMANA’I/Future:

Papa, Jane Filemu, Dremayer Liberty Choir and I gather around your tombstone. I wonder about where has all this time we shared together gone? You have prepared us for this day yet the pain we feel flows through our tears drowning the enormity of our life journey before us. We love you Papa - say talofa to the Tepugas and please speak up for us because there will be times when we will get it wrong – death is not just another coconut falling off the tree but rather the celebration in silence not that fear of death that consumes our individual guilt screaming its ignorance and denial – serving our family our community is serving all of humanity Papa thank you for serving Atua creation creator and me. Hey Papa you were right Aunty Ejay and Jane cried the floods of sadness when we should be happy you are with Atua and our Tepugas. I love you Papa.

“I am Che’den Sofi Vincent Ah Yek Strickson-Pua”